I know because i was next to him all my life. I apprenticed
to him. I saw him working hard, executing to detail every little
aspect of how to make it perfect.

I am so proud of him and he didn't even know how great he was.
He was only about how to make a living and how to satisfy the
customer to come back.

I saw the lady, i saw the little old mirror some of its silver
paint on the back went off, this one with the velvet cord not
hanging as it should but leaning on the floor.

I saw both faces, the lady's whose anticipation over the new
ordered laced evening shoes made her face glowing and my father's
obsession over the new challenge.

I saw him cutting the lace, putting it with the silver lining,
forming it together over the wooden form, to make it shoe, all
executed by hand, stitch by stitch.

I saw him making the fire for the engraved iron frame when hot
to put it over the golden tape and push it down on the leather
for his signature to show.

I was who to deliver and to get the tip! some of it for candies,
some of it to save.

And when my father was not making shoes for customer he was
making for my mom. Simple!

and now, I am here!

school after school, idea after idea, sweat after sweat for
my obsession became real. And I hold my showroom here on 34th
street in the heart of Manhattan, fashion designer myself working
on skin, metallic leather, lace, silks as my father did, with
tears in my eyes when i work because i realize that I am HIM.

My Dear Marie-Therese, It is great honor to having met you my
Lady!

Yours truly,

Christos Dovas
fashion designer
www.ChristosDovas.com

Avis Ward

Here! Here! Great article with a bit of humour, too! Thank you.
I also subscribe to the notion if the shoe fits, buy it in every
colour!